Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-07-15
The Madison's Butler.
BY EDITH EVELYN BIGELOW.

meant, generally, now long Will the
newly acquainted domestic remain on
the field of his or her present useful
ness-or uselessness?
- Mrs. Madison was rich in this worlds
goods. She had an indulgent husband.
charming children, a more than COM
Portable income, and enough beauty to
make her very pleasant to look upon
But all these gifts of a kind Providence
were as nothing we ghel in the balance
against the crushing fact that every one
of the Madison buffers was worse than
his predecessors. The poor lady had
tried every nationality, as she said, ex-
cept The Chinese; there she drew the
line, The lrshmen need no descrip-
ton. We in America have all suffered.
The colorcd men were wofully lacking
in ''Stylc.' The Swedes were merce-
nary and would leave in hope of high
er wages. The Germans were too
something--' forget what" Mrs.
Madison would say, in recounting her
woes to an intimate friend, land the
FrenchMen too, sometimes or other
else; and really. my dear, if you notice
several gray hairs under my bonnet /
am not surprised. But what can I
do' George will give dinners, and will
not have a woman wait at table,
At the time when this veracious his
tory opens, the latest venture in the
pantry-line had proved to be a COM
plete failure, and was to depart on the
morrow.
Mrs. Madison sat in her charming
sitting-room. over a wood fire, with
the hot-water kettle Kissing genially
among its companions tea-thlngs.
which had been brought i'll for the last
time by the present incumbent.
Opposite to her was her sister. Sylvia
Arden. She had just came in from
walking. and her long sealskin gar
ment was thrown open as she sat toast
ing her cold feet and drawing off her
gloves
She was one of the prettiest girls in
New York, (which means that she was
very lovely indeed.
"Shall you have that dinner on the
: 10Th, Maud?" asked the young lady.
She rose as she spoke, and Invested
herself of her furs, and as she did SO
one saw what 1.-the and shapely fig
ure she had.
1T all depends upon the butler,''
said her sister. George will get some
body to-day,-goodness knows what"
''An Irishman, probably" said Syl-
via. 'All our French dressmakers are
Irish. Our city is ruled by the Irish;
our policemen are Irish; why not our
butlers?'
II should think you We're Irish your
self, dear from what you say said
Mrs. Madison, laughing. 'Ah, there's
Georges key in the door. Now we
shall see what news he brings''
In a moment or two the master of
the house entered.
He took the cup of tea which his wife
had poured out. Then, seating him
self, he said, "Well, 1 have got him."
'Who?' asked his wife, mischiev-
ously.
"Patrick OMulligan?''
mo. John Parkins,--an English
man."
WAS there ever an En- lishman who
wasn't named John?" said Sylvia.
Good references, of course" said
Mrs. Madison, with grim sarcasm.
They always have"
No." said her husband, cheerfully.
''None at all"
Mrs. Madison was quite quiet.
you are tired of the silver, then p''
Not at all; but he won't take the
silver. If there is anything dishonest
about John Parkens, then am wofully
mistaken"
You generally are,' said his wife,
dryly.
THANK you, madam. No, he may
be little green, but he is one of the
finest looking men ever saw"
do you remember our British Ado
MS p asked Sylvia, -" when he hand
ed round the lobster in kitchen jug,
and then put himself into the dumb
water instead of the empty dishes. ~
''Am likely to forget it p Il.
Then why" said Mrs Madison,
with sudden asperity. '.do you subject
us to similar experience !? How can
you bring a man without reference in
to my house ~ r@-s... '...s.s !
"On the same principle said Mr..
Madison, setting down his cup with
perfect imperturbabilty, that you once
said you would advertise for an athe-
ist, having tried every religion in the
housemaid line and failed lamentably
with all the sects represented. am
tired of the men who have lived with
all the English aristocracy. Now, Par
kins assures me that he hasn't lived
with any of them. He has the face Of
an honest steady man; and he tells
me that he is willing to learn @@
Mrs. Madison gave q mock groan,
THAT means that am willing to
teach" said she.
':And are we to have the Bellingers
on the l5th2 asked Sylvia.
by all means" said her brcther-in-
law. And so the conversation ended.
The next day. it being the LIST Of the
month. promptly at the hour agreed
uron, John Parkins presented himself
to the lady of the house, with modest
deferential bearing which was quite
delightfnL He was = strapping fellow
about thirty, dressed in worn but ,Well
cut garments. His features were rather
handsome, and his smooth-shaven
upper lip showed at times glimpse Of
very good teeth.
1t is not our custom to engage any
one without 4 reference, said Mrs.
Madison. 1--WE are placing great com
tidence in yon in taking you like this
{ into our house
am aware Of that, man 3 said
Parkins 81 am very thank ful for your
kindness. ] hope i shall suit you. ''s2z
y hope SO, said Mrs Madison, IN